What Did Satwik-Chirag Say About Their SF Loss at BWF Worlds?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Satwik and Chirag's lack of rhythm in the third game impacted their performance.
- Despite the loss, they secured a bronze medal.
- Their achievement keeps India's medal streak alive at BWF Worlds.
- They faced tough opponents and performed well in earlier matches.
- Confidence played a crucial role in the match's outcome.
Paris, Aug 31 (NationPress) After Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty narrowly missed out on their first-ever BWF World Championships final, losing 19-21, 21-18, 12-21 to China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi in the semifinals, the Indian pair acknowledged that their lack of rhythm in the third game ultimately cost them the match.
Despite the setback, their journey to the semifinals secured them a bronze medal and preserved India’s remarkable record of winning at least one medal at each BWF World Championships since 2011.
“I couldn't find my rhythm. We both struggled with consistency. We didn’t start off strong and gave away easy points. They served well, especially in the crucial moments of the third set. We should have been smarter,” Chirag reflected post-match.
“They exhibited greater confidence than we did. Our body language seemed off compared to past matches. Even when we were leading in the first game, they fought back with determination. We did well in patches, but the third game’s momentum shifted against us, costing us dearly,” Satwik added.
The Indian pair began with promise but couldn't withstand a Chinese resurgence. After dropping the first game 19-21, they rallied to take the second game 21-18, forcing a decisive third. However, the Chinese duo surged ahead with a 9-0 lead, securing a solid victory to advance to the finals.
On their performance in the third game, Chirag stated, “They started serving effectively right from the beginning of the final game. We should have adapted our strategy to counter their strong serves and not rushed into our service actions.”
This marks Satwik and Chirag's second bronze at the BWF World Championships, following their success in the 2022 Tokyo edition.
Commenting on their achievement, Chirag noted, “This week has been rewarding. We faced some tough opponents we’d struggled against before. It's disappointing to miss out on the final, as we were eager to compete for gold, but overall, it’s been a good experience.”